Emma had made too many trips to Storybrooke to count. She had even started making friends with the diner owner's granddaughter, Red. Once August accompanied her in her tired state so she could still make it to visit her son. Him and Ruby, they hit it off and now he regularly drove down with Emma.
Every time Emma saw Regina it grew harder, more heated. She hoped one day she would just get out of her own way and tell Regina she was sorry, she was wrong and if Regina let her back in, she would never be so stupid as to let her go again.
The yearning in Regina's eyes never wavered, well until the weekend Emma had to meet him.
Robin was a nice enough guy, aside from the fact that Regina was gay. They meeting hadn't gone well when Emma knocked on the door ready to finally talk with Regina.
Robin taking Henry to the safety of the diner for some ice cream while his mother's had it out.
"Who the hell is he?" Emma huffed staring incredulously at Regina.
Regina rolled her eyes, "No, you don't get to start with me. I am moving on Emma. You didn't want me, so let it go."
Emma opened her mouth to say something then closed it again settling for verbal slap.
"Does he even know you're gay? What, you'll take anyone now?"
Regina rushed forward faster than she could think and slapped Emma hard across the cheek. Emma taking a step forward then hating the way Regina took a step back from her.
"You need to leave. Now."
There was more talking. Emotions turned into words both were certain they could never take back. And Emma swore that slap was something she would never forgive Regina for.
Visits from then on were hand offs between Emma and Robin.
She was forced to watch Regina's affections be spent elsewhere while she was forced to watch.
Until one evening, when Robin was out of town. Regina had fallen ill, prompting Emma to drive in and take care of Henry
